The Secret Behind Texas' Christmas Music Legacy

The Legacy of "Merry Christmas, Baby"

The holiday season brings with it a mix of joy, nostalgia, and the occasional bout of melancholy. One song that has become synonymous with this time of year is "Merry Christmas, Baby." Whether you're listening to Bruce Springsteen's 1980 live version on the first A Very Special Christmas album or Otis Redding's adlib-heavy rendition, the track has carved out a permanent place in the hearts of music lovers. From Elvis Presley to the Muppets' Pepe the King Prawn, countless artists have put their own spin on this classic.

But before it became a holiday staple, "Merry Christmas, Baby" was originally performed by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers in 1947. Released as a B-side to "Lost in the Night," the song was not initially expected to be a hit. However, its soulful sound and catchy lyrics quickly made it a favorite among listeners who appreciated a more bluesy take on traditional holiday music.

The Origins of a Holiday Classic

The song was the work of three Texas-born musicians: Austin guitarist Johnny Moore, Texas City piano man/vocalist Charles Brown, and San Augustine bassist Eddie Williams. These artists were part of the Great Migration, a movement of African Americans from the South to the West Coast, where they helped shape the West Coast blues scene. They were tasked with creating a holiday-themed single for their label, Exclusive Records.

According to Charles Brown, the song was inspired by a Christmas-themed track written by Lou Baxter, a pseudonym for Andrew Whitson Griffith. Baxter had throat cancer and needed money, so he gave Brown several songs to choose from. While one of Baxter's tracks didn't impress Brown, it sparked his creativity, leading him to write "Merry Christmas, Baby" with his own unique twist.

A Unique Blend of Blues and Holiday Cheer

The song starts with Brown playing the celeste, an instrument that resembles an upright piano but sounds like a glockenspiel. This choice set the tone for the track, giving it a twinkling, holiday-tinged feel. Brown then delivered lyrics that celebrated the "sugar mama" who showered him with gifts:

"Merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
Merry Christmas, baby
Sure did treat me nice
Bought me a diamond ring for Christmas
I feel like I'm in paradise"

The track features a laid-back, bluesy vibe, with Moore providing slow, smoky guitar licks and Williams keeping the beat on bass. Despite its boozy, blowsy flow, Moore insisted he was sober when recording the song. He ended it with a playful line: "I haven't had a drink this morning, but I'm all lit up like a Christmas tree."

Recognition and Legacy

During that winter season, "Merry Christmas, Baby" reached the No. 3 spot on Billboard's R&B Juke Box chart. Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Chuck Berry, Maw West, and even Christina Aguilera. However, the original creators, Brown, Moore, and Williams, faced challenges in receiving proper recognition.

Charles Brown never received songwriting credit for the track, despite his significant contributions. A woman even told local blues historian Roger Wood that her friend Brown worked on the song in her apartment. Nevertheless, Baxter and Moore were credited as the sole writers. Brown eventually got his revenge by co-writing and recording "Please Come Home for Christmas" in 1960, which later became a hit for The Eagles and Bon Jovi.

A Lasting Impact

Brown continued to re-record "Merry Christmas, Baby" over the years, including a duet with Bonnie Raitt for the second A Very Special Christmas album in 1992. Johnny Moore, the last member of the Three Blazers, passed away in 1999 at the age of 76. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

Although Brown did not receive the songwriting credit he deserved, his legacy remains intact. As his New York Times obituary noted, he will always be known as "the singer of the hit 'Merry Christmas, Baby.'" More importantly, he and his fellow Texans created a holiday song that has brought joy to generations of listeners, likely enjoyed around a stocking-covered fireplace, sipping on spiked egg nog.